Instructions

ZOOM IN by clicking on the page. A slider will appear, allowing you to adjust your zoom level. Return to the original size by clicking on the page again.

MOVE the page around when zoomed in by dragging it.

ADJUST the zoom using the slider on the top right.

ZOOM OUT by clicking on the zoomed-in page.

SEARCH by entering text in the search field and click on "In This Issue" or "All Issues" to search the current issue or the archive of back issues
respectively.
.

PRINT by clicking on thumbnails to select pages, and then press the
print button.

SHARE this publication and page.

ROTATE PAGE allows you to turn pages 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.Click on the page to return to the original orientation. To zoom in on a rotated page, return the page to its original orientation, zoom in, and
then rotate it again.

CONTENTS displays a table of sections with thumbnails and descriptions.

ALL PAGES displays thumbnails of every page in the issue. Click on
a page to jump.

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST WOMEN’S INDEX
Women’s digital money magazine Financy and data
company Data Digger have launched the Financy
Women’s Index – a first for Australia and for women.
The Index is the country’s only Index that aggregates
five years of data analysis from six key indicators and
over 700 company reports, to produce an overarching
measurement that benchmarks the working-life
progress of women.
The Index analyses data from Australia’s major
statistical agencies and is designed to highlight trends
among women; from the courses they study once
they leave high school, what industries they work in,
earnings and savings in superannuation, through to
those occupying top company board positions.
The most recent data, which is reported every two
years, shows that in the 2013/14 financial year, the
average female super balance was equal to just 70
per cent of the average male balance. This is less five
percentage points than in the 2009/10 financial year
when the average lifetime female super balance was
75 per cent of that of the average male.
In the 12 months to December 2016, the Index
improved 4.1 points to 106.2 points, as the number
of women occupying corporate board positions rose
and the disparity between average earnings fell to its
lowest in five years.
CHANT WEST: SUPER FUNDS HEAD TOWARDS 8TH CONSECUTIVE
FINANCIAL YEAR GAIN
Chant West announced their latest performance data revealing super funds had a
better month in February following a flat January. Median growth funds (61 to 80
per cent growth assets) are up 1.2 per cent, bringing the return over the first eight
months of the 2017 financial year to 6.8 per cent.
The latest figures reveal major asset sectors delivered positive returns in
February, led by listed shares and property. Australian shares advanced 2.2 per
cent while international shares were up 3.1 per cent in hedged terms but, with
the continuing appreciation of the Australian dollar (up from US$0.76 to US$0.77
over the month) this reduced to 1.5 per cent in unhedged terms. Listed property
also delivered strong returns, with Australian and global REITs up 4.1 per cent and
3.3 per cent, respectively.
According to Chant West director, Warren Chant, “Growth funds have
performed better than expected this financial year. With share markets up further
so far in March, we estimate that growth funds are up more than 7.5 per cent
over the financial year to date. So with just over one quarter remaining, there is
a good chance that they’ll deliver an eighth consecutive positive financial year
return. This is particularly impressive given the economic and political uncertainty
that has been prevalent over the past few years.”
The results also reveal retail funds edged out industry funds in February
returning 1.2 per cent versus 1.1 per cent for industry funds.
YOUR NEWS, YOUR VIEWS
Do you have something to say about one of our stories or a superannuation
issue? Let us know so we can include you or your comments in the next issue.
Email superfunds@superannuation.asn.au
Superfunds April 2017